Tag Archives: Sachin Gupta

The Important Announcement

Due to the scarcity of time, from now on, I will sum up the entire month’s reviews in a set of two articles each month, one usually around the 15th of the month and the other towards the end. Of course, certain albums that I feel need a separate post (either because they might have many songs, or be spectacular albums, or even if the movies are highly awaited ones) I will do so for those albums. I will reveal the chosen album for this month — it’ll be “Secret Superstar” — I don’t guarantee it’ll be rated very high, but because of the buzz surrounding it, it requires a separate post, I feel! Meanwhile, the usual monthly awards posts will sum everything up once again at the end of every month in the form of awards. I really hope this format helps me balance my schedule! And I can’t wait to return to my normal long posts — till then enjoy your luck of getting to read short reviews from my side!!

October 2017 Round-Up

So this post will cover the reviews for the all but two of October releases that have already released — ‘Chef’ by Raghu Dixit & Amaal Mallik, ‘Tu Hai Mera Sunday’ by Amartya Rahut (Bobo), ‘Ranchi Diaries’ by Nickk, Jeet Gannguli, Tony Kakkar & Bobby-Imran, ‘Golmaal Again’ by Amaal Mallik, Thaman S., Lijo George-DJ Chetas & Abhishek Arora, and ‘Jia Aur Jia’ by Sachin Gupta, Nisschal Zaveri & Sameer Nichani. There will be separate reviews for ‘Secret Superstar’ and ‘Rukh’, both by Amit Trivedi.

Raghu Dixit starts off the album with Shugal Laga Le, a song having a heavy folk influence from Kerala. The backing vocalists provide that freshness associated with Kerala, and Raghu’s characteristic voice makes it all the more intriguing to listen to. In his arrangements too, he adds a dash of everything, and especially those percussions are mind blowing, along with the banjo. Ankur’s lyrics made me acquainted with a new phrase “Shugal Laga Le” meaning “find a hobby, or find something to do”. The next song by him is also reliant on folk music, this time Celtic/Irish. Banjaara is steeped heavily on the beautiful flutes that characterise Irish music, with amazing percussion and backing vocals yet again. Vishal Dadlani does great justice to the sing with those power-packed vocals. The song is one of those many motivational songs that Vishal gets to sing in Bollywood, except that this time, it has a whole new style to it. The mellow Darmiyaan, exudes a positivity in spite of the fact that it is a sad song — mostly because of Raghu’s ebullience. A splendid guitar backdrop makes it simple and sweet, and Raghu’s diction has to be lauded. Raghu takes forth the melancholia in a more Bollywood-ish way in Khoya Khoya, which I rank as the best of the album — underrated Shahid Mallya taking charge of the vocals in a very beautiful way, and Dixit’s composition has that old-world-charm to it. The sarangi is quite impressive here! The alternative rock set up will make this one loveable to many! Raghu’s last song on the album is the effervescent Tan Tan, rendered with spunk by Nikhita Gandhi, the only female vocalist on the album. In her texture, she gives off vibes of Shalmali and Shefali. Guest composer Amaal Mallik, whose song Tere Mere was also removed from the album later, produces a song you can immediately tell is by him. That doesn’t make its richness diluted, though — it’s still wonderful, with the nice dholak rhythm accompanying Armaan Malik’s beautiful voice. Also, Rashmi-Virag’s lyrics are amazing!
All in all, Chef is one of the best albums of the year in that it is a clever mix of melancholia, inspiration and romance. Raghu Dixit must sign more and more Bollywood films — I firmly believe that this is his best Bollywood album yet!

Total Points Scored by This Album (in the order mentioned in the review): 4 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 4.5 + 4 = 26.5

Out of Arijit’s two songs, the classically-steeped sad song Dhundlo Tum fares better, with an addictive strings orchestra accompanying it, and it quickly steers away from the Bhatt-ish genre that it starts off with. Had that continued, it wouldn’t have been half as good. The digital Sitar is beautiful. His other song, Thodi Si Jagah, is also classical-based for some initial parts, before it turns into an upbeat number that loses itself halfway through the song. The rock backdrop ofthe hook line couldn’t have been more clichéd. Arijit’s vocal prowess is clearly showcased in the song though. It is Amartya’s violin solo that impresses though, with its distinct classical tune. The title song, Tu Hai Mera Sunday, takes a pleasant Christmassy turn, with soft jazz making your ears happy. Shalmali renders it with a familiarity that makes you feel amazing. The brass portions have been done really well here, as are the drums. The clarinet and piano is wonderful too. It is nothing more than the lyrics that make it sound even more personal though. Ash King’s Yeh Mera Manis a pleasant departure from his previous song ‘Bandook Meri Laila’ (A Gentleman) and brings him back to his comfort zone. Again, a jazzy tune gives the song a kind of spring, and that whistle portion is so pleasantly surprising and charming, it is hard to dislike. The guitars are impressive here. Yeh Jo Pyaar Hai, a clubbish number sung by Nandini Srikar, is probably the weakest of the album, where the tune and the arrangement are just mismatched; the hookline sounds like this song was pitched for the situation of ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ (Don) before ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ was finalised.Amartya’s best album to date provides us with a nice mix of classical music, jazz music and a banal club number! This album will go highly underrated and unnoticed though!

Total Points Scored by This Album (in order mentioned in the review): 4.5 + 4 + 4 + 3.5 + 3 = 19

Some newcomer Nickk is — he has just been made to make another ‘Baby Doll’, now that Meet Bros. just be refusing to do it. However, Fashion Queen has something in addition to the usual ‘Baby Doll’ sequels — an Arabic strings backdrop that just helps it as much as a car can help you fly. The new singer Raahi seems disillusioned with the ideals that it is okay to sing like Kanika Kapoor if you aren’t her. The composer’s rap is dumb. Helicopter‘s lyricist and composer Tony Kakkar uses the word ‘helicopter’ as a metaphor for ‘getting high’. 😶 Siblings Tony and Neha render it with as much mediocrity as they can muster. I can’t believe Tony is the same guy behind ‘Saawan Aaya Hai’ (Creature 3D) and ‘Khuda Bhi’ (Ek Paheli Leela), but then he has made ‘Ek Do Teen Chaar’ (Ek Paheli Leela) and ‘Do Peg Maar’ (One Night Stand). Jeet Gannguli’s Thoda Aur is the composer’s usual pathos-filled romantic number — you would think that after a year-long break, he would return with something pleasant. But it is the same old Arijit-Palak love story. And the irony is that this song sounds like ‘Saawan Aaya Hai’ (Creature 3D). So did Tony help him here instead of making his own song better? 😏 The last song is a banal Mika solo Godfather, composed by Pritam’s former assistants Bobby-Imran, which I couldn’t even finish once when I started to listen to it.This is a Hodge-podge of the worst songs from the weirdest mix of composers ever.

The album to the much-awaited fourth instalment to the ‘Golmaal’ series starts with the Title Track, where South film composer Thaman S. is called in just to do that clichéd Kuthu rhythm we are all bored of. Brijesh Shandilya does well as the lead male singer, but Aditi Singh Sharma sounds utterly replaceable. She gets another song, Itna Sannata Kyun Hai, composed by Lijo George and DJ Chetas, where her part towers over her male co-singer Amit Mishra’s parts. The hookline is like a desperate scream in our ears, to make noise. The EDM after the hookline is so bad, I can’t describe it. Amaal Mallik, lead composer, gets two songs, where one is obviously a 90s remake. ‘Neend Churayi Meri’ (Ishq) is the privileged song, named by the company as Maine Tujhko Dekha. The song’s best part is that Neeraj Sridhar returns after a long time to sing a song that is tailor-made for his song. Sukriti Kakar complements him well, but the song is better as an individual song than it is as a remake. Had the hookline been original, it would have been amazing! Amaal’s second song happens to be the album’s best — Hum Nahi Sudhrenge gives those rays of positivity like ‘Apna Har Din’ did in ‘Golmaal 3’. Though the song is similar to Amaal’s other EDM numbers like “Sooraj Dooba Hai”, “Buddhu Sa Mann” and “Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main”, it works well because of its positivity and Armaan yet again sings charmingly! What Saregama holds of the album is an unplugged, slow-paced version of ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’s Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate, sung very simply by Nikhil D’Souza and Anushka Manchanda, and arranged soothingly by Abhishek Arora (of Abhishek-Akshay) and Samyuktha Narendran. It doesn’t work too much though, in spite of not changing much from the old song.The worst Golmaal album is held up solely by Amaal’s songs (or song).

The songs by Sachin Gupta start off the album, and though they do not impress you immediately, you do get attuned to them on hearing them for a couple of times. Na Shukre is a wild rock song about carefree girls, and Smita Malhotra makes a rocking debut with her vocals in this, the rock guitars played wonderfully. Shivani Bhayana’s Naach Basanti, on the other hand, is a bit too rowdy to go with its amazing club arrangements, but apparently by the lyrics, it is supposed to be some sort of an ode to “Sholay”. Many of the small additions by Gupta in this song happen to catch your attention, like the techno sounds at the beginning, and the folksy portion at the end.
The newcomer composer, Nisschal Zaveri, steps in for the rest of the songs (with lyrics) and I must say, he does quite an amazing job in his first album itself. His lullaby-ish, classical-based Na Jaa appears in two versions, one in Asees Kaur’s voice, with a stark resemblance to her singing in ‘Kaari Kaari’ (Dobaara), while the other is in Nandini Srikar’s voice. Obviously, Nandini’s version wins my heart because of her seasoned voice and more classically inclined singing. The Tabla in this song has to be mentioned, as do the strings, guitars and mandolin. The arrangements overpower the voice of Asees in her version, another drawback of that version. Nandini’s version has everything that the music buff longs for in a good song.
Zaveri’s other song, released by Saregama, is a reprise of Shankar-Jaikishan-Mohd. Rafi classic Jia O Jia, and is an apt remake of the song, with an upbeat clubbish sound, one of the freshest remakes I’ve heard this year. The song feels like a splash of water on your face — despite being a remake, Zaveri uses his creativity to make it a bit unconventional, without being bogged down by the thought of what’s popular these days. The synth has been used amazingly, and the backing chorus singing “Jia O” after every hook is just sweet! Jyotica sounds amazing in this song, the least she has sounded like Neha Kakkar ever! But Rashid Ali, being heard after a long time, falls flat due to the excessive programming done to his voice. The Latino turn of sound midway into the song takes time to get used to, but is awesome!
The background score composer for the film, Sameer Nichani, gets one of his instrumental pieces added to the album, and it is called Jia Aur Jia Theme, and is heavy on Spanish guitars, played in a very sensuous way. It is extremely short at one and a half minute, but soothes your senses for all its worth.A hidden gem of an album, wherein we find a new composer who must get many, many more songs in Bollywood!! Zaveri scores higher than Gupta here.

Remake Counter:

I hope that wasn’t too long (though I know it was) but this is what I’m going to have to do until I am a bit more free. I personally liked this method of reviewing and don’t mind continuing it forever too! So maybe, just maybe, you might get the “Secret Superstar” and “Rukh” reviews in this format too, but in separate posts and not clubbed together! Lets see! Till then, enjoy music! 😉

Dharam Sankat Mein is an upcoming Bollywood comedy / religious satirical film starring Paresh Rawal in the lead role, and Naseeruddin Shah, Annu Kapoor in supporting roles. It has veen directed by debutant Fuwad Khan, and produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Sajjad Chunawala and Shariq Patel. The film is about a Hindu man played by Paresh Rawal, who discovers that he was only adopted into a Hindu family, but was actually born into a Muslim family. This makes him go search for his father. The plot of the movie really does seem interesting, like all other movies of this genre, and is sure to get a great opening just because of the star value of Paresh Rawal. The music of this film, though I am not expecting much from it, yet seems like it would be something interesting. It is a multi-composer album, with two songs by Sachin Gupta (“Prince”, “Mere Dad Ki Maruti” fame) and one each by Jatinder Shah (“Janib” from “Dilliwaali Zaalim Girlfriend” fame), Meet Bros. Anjjan (do I really need to specify their ticket to fame?) and Shamir Tandon respectively. So, let’s see how far the album helps this religious satire!

1. NeelanandSinger ~ Ravi Chowdhury, Music by ~ Sachin Gupta

Sachin Gupta is one of those composers, who pops up once in a year or so, and fails to create much impact with that little work he does. This time, he has come back after composing two songs in ‘Badlapur Boys’, which I didn’t review because it wasn’t that great. Before that, he had composed the entire album of ‘Mere Dad Ki Maruti’, so you can see the gaps in his popping-up. 😂 Anyways, now he’s back with two songs in this satirical film. This song is a song which seems like an anthem for the Babaji who is portrayed by Naseeruddin Shah in the film, Neelanand Baba. It’s quite a situational track, which goes on praising the Baba. Lyrics are of course, humorous just as they should be in such a song. The tune is pretty catchy as well. The song actually sounds like the bhakts of the Baba (saint) are sitting and chanting these lines for him. The “Neelanand Neelanand Neelanand BABA” chants are weirdly addictive, and you will find yourself crooning them, when you least expect them to pop in your mind. Ravi’s folksy vocals suit the composition and also this situation. He’s actually a Bhojpuri singer, debuting in Bollywood with this song. In the arrangements too, the song doesn’t lag behind, with interesting use of rock guitars in this type of song. Manjeeras adorn most of the composition, and give the religious feel, which is balanced out by these rock guitars, which is an interesting combo. I guess I could hear the dumroo in places too, and it sounded so great! The mukhda might be pretty catchy, but that interest is lost in the antaras, where only the “Neelanand BABA” chants are there to entertain you. A good attempt at making a catchy tribute to a dhongi baba!! Catchy hook helps the song, but just misses the coveted tag! 😜

2. Do You Know BabySinger ~ Gippy Grewal, Music by ~ Jatinder Shah

After giving us a wonderful, beautiful melody ‘Janib’ in ‘Dilliwaali Zaalim Girlfriend’, I guess Jatinder Shah signed this film, just to show his true colors. I did praise him and all for giving something traditionally, and beautifully Punjab-flavoured, but here he is, giving another song which sounds just like aall these Punjabi composers in Bollywood are trying to do. An utterly ridiculous sounding song, sung by the Punjabi singer/actor Gippy Grewal. Gippy’s voice is pretty irritating, and singing in Punjabi-Hindi-English lyrics mixed just sounds weird in his voice. Arrangements by Jatinder are pretty catchy, though, with the techno sounds and dhols pepping up the song. Lyrics are ridiculous, and nothing more was expected from Kumaar with such a song. The guy says “Hum pangdhe (Bhangre) ke sardaar, do you know baby?” That just sounds so stupid in itself! The hookline, is catchy, like it should be, but unfortunately, the other parts of the song just loosely revolve around this hook, thereby not making the listener that interested till the hookline comes, and then after it’s done, the condition becomes the same as it was before the hook had come. 😂 So it would have been better if they had just made the song with only one tune — that of the hook. Thank God, they kept the song short at only two and a half minutes. Jatinder disappoints, this time, because he shows variety…. An unwanted variety, for that matter!

A very familiar-sounding Tumbi sound brings us to the next song, where Meet Bros. Anjjan, probably the most well-known composers composing for his film, enter the soundtrack. And you know why it sounds so familiar? Because it bears a very striking resemblance to the opening Tumbi from Amit Trivedi’s ‘London Thumakda’ (Queen). Now I were them, I would really watch out before such a coincidence happened, because the whole nation knows that song, and then I would be exposed to all kinds of accusations of plagiarism. Even though it was simply a coincidence. So, that really gives a bad impression to the listeners right from the beginning. Anyways, since it quickly changes and gets off that ‘London Thumakda’ sound, the makers are saved. After that, though, what follows isn’t that great either. Gippy gets another song with different composers (pretty rare) in the same album, and I guess Meet Bros. Anjjan had to compose keeping his style in mind i.e, typical Punjabi wedding/rap/irritating songs. This is a major letdown from people like me, who were expecting something innovative. Meet Bros. Anjjan always deliver great when it’s not expected of them, but fail to do so when it is expected. How irritating is that! Meet Bros Anjjan’s rap is nothing worth hearing. Khushboo’s part is a relief, and she does well, actually providing something to hear in the song. The composition, again, is dependent on the hookline to make it work. Everything else, loose and dull and stale and heard-before. (Not that the hookline is something brilliant either, but we can cut them some slack there) Arrangements are good once again, tumbi and dhols leading it. Techno sounds are also used occasionally throughout the song. Kumaar’s lyrics are yet again, nothing fresh, the same Punjabi wedding stuff and irritating blend of Punjabi, Hindi and English. Nothing to appreciate as true or entertaining lyrics. Meet Bros. Anjjan stick to the everyday Punjabi wedding song template, thereby failing to give anything applaudable. Makes for a good dance to play at weddings though! 😝

After three upbeat songs, out of which none were exceptional, but one did manage to at least interest me, finally I got something I would love to hear. Sachin Gupta re-enters with this Sufi track, with two versions, one sung by Ravi Chowdhury & the other by Pardeep Sran. The composition is a very soothing and calming song, sure to make the listener get emotional. It does remind you a lot of A.R. Rahman’s ‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’ from ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. It has the same aura of divinity around it, as that song had. Ravi’s rendition suits the theme and pace of the song. Every single nuance has been done with ease and finesse by him. His voice has the required rustic-ness in it, with which he could carry out this rendition with no problem whatsoever. Arrangements are as soothing as soothing can be, with all the dholaks,harmoniums played in such a divine way, that you might even imagine yourself in a Gurudwara of you close your eyes. Sachin has provided beautiful orchestration in the hookline, which in itself has a master tune. Pardeep Sran, another debutant to Bollywood, in his version, manages to pull off the composition with as much ease and as expertly as Ravi. Though they have named his version ‘Allah Hoo Allah’, there is nothing different in this version and the former. His voice reminds you more of the folksiness of Punjab, slightly resembling Kailash Kher’s voice. The hookline in Pradeep’s version sounds way more traditional, because of the pronunciation, and it brings in an element of folk Punjab into the song. Kumaar has written meaningful lyrics, seeming to describe the feelings of a person, who has lost hopes from his life, and really doesn’t understand what his importance on the world is. Finally, true music lovers get what they would love, and Sachin Gupta aces with the composition! Brilliant work to create a Sufi traditional song!#5StarHotelSong!!

This is an out-and-out religious stotra, not at all spoilt by any techno sounds, and kept playing on the divine background of the tanpura drone. Aman has chanted the “Shiv Tandav” we all might be familiar with, with great and intense energy, at the same time making sure that energy is radiated out to the listeners as well. There is nothing much to describe here, except that you must not skip it just because you have heard it, or you think that you may get bored by it, because of you think so, you are very sadly mistaken. Shamir has designed the whole thing perfectly, and succeeds in his intention to make something impactful. Awesome!!!!! Divine!!!!!#5StarHotelSong!!

Dharam Sankat Mein is an album, in which songs seem to have been forced, just for promotion of the movie. The smart makers of this film have merely catered to the likes of the public, and so, whatever be the subject of the film, Punjabi music is a must. A wedding song, and a bhangra (failed one, if I may say so) have been added for the sake of the public, it seems. Entertaining, yes. Appreciated, no. Wanted, absolutely not. At the end of the day, it is Sachin Gupta (whom I was expecting the least from) and Shamir Tandon who give the best tracks on the album, partly because their songs are relevant to the movie, and partly because they have repeat value as well. Three good songs, put of which two are exceptional, not a very good thing for the overall album, so, may I say, sangeet sankat mein??

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